Getting in Touch with Reality

Over the past several months I have been going through a study book geared for discipling young Christians titled Changed into His Image by Jim Berg. It is an excellent resource packed full of fundamental truths. I recently finished it and have decided to go back to the beginning and write down some essential themes or doctrines that have helped me have a more accurate view of the truth and how it relates to my life. I would like to review some critical elements of the Christian walk that are very neglected in churches today.

If we are to be able to respond to God's will, we must crucify the flesh, that is die to self. It is only when the power of sin is broken and we experience newness of life that we are free to respond to the indwelling Spirit.

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Romans 8:13

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:1-5

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Romans 6:22

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:14

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:11

We must not be double-minded, yielding to the flesh and feelings at one moment, and minding God and His truth the next. We should not make decisions based on how we feel at the moment, but by facts of what God has said is reality. We must believe God's truth for the reality that it is. Feelings generated by fleshly, selfish thinking will keep you trapped in a fantasy world of make-believe.

For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1:6-8

Not only must we believe the truth about our identification with Christ, we must also yield to the right master as a result of what we know.

Just two choices on the shelf - pleasing God or pleasing self.

The Christian life is not easy because of the warring sinfulness within us. But it isn't really complicated either. Complications are the natural result of going our own way. But the way out of the complications is always a series of simple choices - am I going to please God or please myself? Yielding = obedience!

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Romans 6:16-17

Paul is saying, "You got yourself in this mess by obeying your flesh and denying God; the only way out is to start denying the flesh and obeying God!"

Thought to consider: What we often call a lack of self-discipline is actually a lack of obedience.

We need to exercise our will against sinful influences in our lives. Not resisting the evil around us leaves us in a weakened spiritual condition, devoid of the joy, peace, and fellowship with God that should be reigning within.

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 1 Peter 2:11

Consuming the world's entertainment and philosophies causes Christians to embrace its goals and attitudes, leaving them powerless to make any impact for God. Self-restraint means saying no to what you flesh wants to do. Self-denial protects us from the dangers of giving in to the urges of the flesh. True mortification of the flesh cannot take place while you are allowing the world to feed your flesh.

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 -(interesting to note that Jesus said this before He was crucified)

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:15-17

The reality of life is that life isn't supposed to make sense or bring any lasting peace and satisfaction without God. Fellowship with God is blocked by the sin of going our own way in some aspect of life. The connection is restored upon our repentance. Once restored to fellowship with God, we have the opportunity to develop a dependent, personal relationship with Him. Next time I will write about how to what needs to be happening between God and us and how to develop a personal relationship with Him.